Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has this evening issued water restrictions for Glenorchy to help conserve rapidly dropping reservoir levels.

The following restrictions are effective immediately and until further notice:

· No sprinklers or outdoor hosing
· Switch off all irrigation and automatic watering systems
· Watering gardens and lawns is only permitted using a hand-held watering can or bucket filled directly from a tap.

Ulrich Glasner, QLDC Chief Engineer said continuing hot weather and low rainfall had coincided with peak demand on the local water supply.

“This combination of dry weather and unprecedented demand has resulted in Glenorchy’s reservoir not replenishing sufficiently. Storage is currently sitting just around 60% and is falling rapidly. With the summer population expected to remain high, we’re calling on all residents, visitors and local businesses to reduce usage now so the reservoir can refill.

“With everyone’s co-operation we can avoid reaching critical levels,” said Mr Glasner.

Reservoir levels will be assessed tomorrow (Monday 15 January) followed by an update on QLDC’s website and Facebook page.

ENDS:

© Scoop Media